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Lush, warm and scenically spectacular, Mauritius has long been a premier photographic and holiday destination. This mountainous Indian Ocean island paradise offers visitors amazing weather all year round, stunning white beaches, and wonderful tranquillity.
Its tropical climate supports a rich and unique ecosystem with a wide array of flora and fauna. For instance, the island’s floral landscape consists of more than 600 plant species which includes a staggering 160 orchid species! Mauritius is also great for swimming, hiking, snorkelling, diving, dolphin encounters, cruises, quad biking, whale watching, kayaking, and so much more.
All these factors make Mauritius not just a marvelous holiday destination, but also a superb destination for photographic safaris. Here are just ten of Mauritius’s must-see places that photographers will revel in!
1. Black River Gorges National Park
Black River Gorges National Park is a vast 6,574-hectare paradise for nature enthusiasts, hikers and photographers alike. It features most of the island’s remaining indigenous rainforest. The park is a designated protected bird habitat. The park’s extensive network of hiking trails includes no fewer than 13 waterfall trails!
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Its wildlife includes endangered species like pink pigeons, cuckoo-shrikes, echo parakeets, the Mauritian kestrel, and Mauritian flying foxes. Introduced species include rusa deer, lemurs, wild pigs and macaque monkeys. Accommodation options include luxury as well as more affordable budget hotels, self-catering units and designated camping areas in the park.
2. Casela Nature Reserve
Casela ‘World of Adventures’ is a bustling 250-hectare leisure and entertainment park in Cascavelle. It’s situated against the scenic backdrop of Rempart Mountain and is well-forested with its own waterfall, canyon and animal enclosures.
Its absorbing activities include:
- Walking with and feeding lions
- Quad biking and mud karting
- Ziplining
- Breakfasting with giraffes
- Camel feeding and riding
- Horse riding
- Interactions with cheetah, serval, caracal and rhino
- Tobogganing
- A canyon swing and crossing a canyon on a Nepalese bridge
- Hiking
- Truck tours
- ‘Drive thrus’ through lion and tiger enclosures
- Tulawaka Coaster luge ride for the brave!
- A petting zoo with goats, deer, horses, llamas, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks, pigs, cows and geese
3. Trou aux Cerfs
Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano crater in Mauritius, with a lake at the bottom. It’s renowned for its captivating views, lush vegetation, cultural significance, and accessibility. It’s assuredly one of Mauritius’s must-see destinations, particularly for photographers.
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It’s located about one kilometre from the charming town of Curepipe. Curepipe is well-worth a visit in itself with colonial architecture, a stunning botanical garden, museum and shops. Trou aux Cerfs provides excellent opportunities for relaxing, photography, hiking and jogging. It offers majestic views of the Trois Mamelles, Rempart and the Moka mountains that surround bustling Port Louis, the island’s capital.
4. Le Morne Brabant Mountain
Le Morne Brabant Mountain is a basalt mountain that towers 556 m/ 1,824 ft above sea level. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its dramatic cliffs, and is much sought-after for hiking, birdwatching and photography. The views from the top are utterly breathtaking!
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The mountain holds great cultural and historical significance for Mauritians as it served as a refuge for escaped slaves in colonial times. There are many caves, steep slopes and overhangs at the summit which covers more than 30 acres/12 hectares. Two rare and endangered plants, the mandrinette (Hibiscus fragilis) and the Boucle d’Oreille (Trochetia boutoniana), Mauritius’ national flower, both occur here.
5. Flic en Flac Beach
Flic en Flac Beach is a very popular holiday spot on Mauritius, and has become a bustling hub of restaurants, clubs, bars, shops, hotels, rental apartments and resorts. The 8 km/5 mi stretch of white sand beach is one of the most spectacular on the island. It’s a great spot for photography with its crystal-clear water and beautiful white sand.
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Flic en Flac is ideal for picnics under the casuarina trees or just lazing away your days. Alternatively, snorkelling, parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and deep-sea fishing are all on offer. Flic en Flac offers great scuba diving off fantastic reef, wreck and drift sites, while kiddies can do banana and paddle boating. And you’re almost certain to see dolphins!
6. Grand Baie
Located at Mauritius’s northern end, vibrant Grand Baie is a tourism hub of the island. The bustling town is jam-packed with bars, restaurants, shops, nightclubs and resorts. It’s a great base for exploring the other islands on day trips or by boat or catamaran. Grand Baie is also well-connected by bus to the rest of Mauritius.
Activities and attractions at and around Grand Baie abound:
- Relaxing on the beach!
- Sampling great street food
- Swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving
- Windsurfing and yachting
- Subscooter rides
- Shopping at the many local boutiques and shopping malls
Casino - Catamaran day and sunset cruises
- Architecturally interesting sites
- Underwater sea walk – unmissable!
- Spa treatments
- Grand Baie bazaar
- Exploring offshore islands and islets
- Guided deep-sea fishing
- Art galleries
- Walk through serene Daruty Forest
- Former sugarcane factory
- Rum tasting
- Vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and food safaris
7. Port Louis
Historic Port Louis is Mauritius’s capital city and a great place to explore the island’s cultural diversity. It’s a melting pot of the different cultures that make up Mauritian society: Indian, French, British, African, and Chinese. It has its own Chinatown, and fascinating museums that reveal the island’s history.
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The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses just outside Port Louis is a must for botanists, plant lovers and photographers alike. It has more than 650 plant species and its giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica) and many palm species are internationally renowned.
Highlights of Port Louis include:
- Central Market – unmissable for all visitors, especially foodies
- Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Blue Penny Museum, a must for history enthusiasts with its two ultra-rare 19th century Mauritian penny stamps
- Tranquil 18th century Jardins de la Compagnie
- Street food tours
- The Caudan Waterfront
- Vibrant street art
- Chinatown
- 19th century Fort Adelaidel
- Historic St Louis Cathedral
- Hindu Madurai Mariamen Temple
- Jummah Mosque
- The Champs de Mars horse-racing track
- Signal Mountain
- Natural History Museum, that has a skeleton of the extinct dodo
- Postal Museum
- Bank of Mauritius Museum
8. Chamarel Village
The mountain village of Chamarel is best known for its Seven-Coloured Earth reserve. It’s a unique geological formation with multi-coloured dunes in seven different colours: orange, red, green, brown, blue, yellow and purple. It also has a playground and giant tortoises and is simply fantastic for photography. It’s famous for fine dining and offers a delightful alternative holiday spot to the busier coastal tourist towns.
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Chamarel is also known for its equitable climate, parks, nature reserves, and a spectacular 95 m/ 312 ft waterfall, (where some brave souls can even abseil!). Other attractions include horse riding, a rum distillery, a quirky museum and the 50-hectare Ebony Forest Reserve that is a paradise for wildlife lovers, hikers and photographers. Photo safaris, birding excursions and guided drives are on offer.
9. Île aux Cerfs
Spectacular and pristine, Île aux Cerfs is a picturesque private island located off the east coast of Mauritius. It’s renowned for its gorgeous white beaches and crystal-clear blue waters. It’s also known for its superb restaurants and is a popular destination for day trips. Its superb 18-hole golf course was designed by Masters’s champion, Bernhard Langer.
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The island offers a wide range of activities:
- Spectacular spots for photography
- Snorkelling, water skiing, and parasailing
- Ziplining
- Cave sea kayaking
- Submarine adventures
- Cruises
- Sega dancing
- Tube riding
- Under-sea walk
- Wakeboarding
- Speed boat rides
- Banana boat rides
10. Blue Bay
Located on the southeast coast of Mauritius, Blue Bay is known for its calm waters and abundance of marine life. It has a fantastic white sand beach shaded by large casuarina trees, and is great for snorkelling and scuba diving.
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It’s also a superlative destination for photography with colourful fish and stunning coral reefs. Blue Bay is also home to a famous marine park that is in truth a fabulous coral garden harbouring hundreds of varieties of coral and marine species.
Famous attractions near Blue Bay include:
- Ferney Valley, a forest and wildlife reserve
- National History Museum in Mahébourg
- Mahébourg waterfront
- Historic Biscuiterie Rault biscuit factory
- The Mahébourg market
- Bo’Valon Mall
- Ile Des Deux Cocos resort
- Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve that contains the very last bit of Mauritius dry coastal forest in the world.
Activities on offer include wakeboarding, sailing, snorkelling, swimming, scuba diving, and last but definitely not least, glass-bottom boat rides!
If you’ve decided to choose marvellous Mauritius as your next photographic safari destination, we heartily applaud your choice. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Let us help you plan your perfect tailored vacation and photographic safari to make it your most memorable holiday yet!
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Author: Adelle Belle - 20 October 2023
Last Update: 30 January 2024
Part of the Mauritius Tourism & African Safari Collection